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Gas Dryer Igniter and Gas Valve Coils
Igniter glowing but no flame? Learn how a gas dryer lights its burner, which part fails, and why the igniter often gets blamed wrongly.
Last reviewed September 30, 2026. Written and reviewed by the Plano Dryer Pros team. How we create content
A gas dryer lights its burner in a sequence: the igniter glows, the gas valve coils open the valve, and a flame sensor confirms the flame. If the igniter never glows, suspect the igniter or a safety part. If it glows but no flame follows, suspect the gas valve coils. If you smell gas, leave and call 911.
Key takeaways
- A gas dryer lights the burner in a set order: igniter, valve coils, then flame.
- An igniter that glows but never lights a flame often points to the gas valve coils.
- A gas dryer still needs 120 volts, so check the plug and outlet first.
- Smell gas: leave the house and call 911 and Atmos Energy at 866.322.8667.
How a gas dryer makes heat
- The dryer calls for heat and sends current through the igniter.
- The igniter glows hot, and as it does, it lets current reach the gas valve coils.
- The gas valve coils open the valve and gas flows to the burner.
- The hot igniter lights the gas, and the flame sensor confirms it.
- The thermostats cycle the burner on and off to hold the temperature.
How does a gas dryer ignite?
The igniter glows hot when the dryer calls for heat. Once it is hot enough it draws current that lets the gas valve coils open the valve, and the gas lights from the glowing igniter. A flame sensor confirms the flame, and thermostats cycle the burner. If any link in that chain fails, there is no heat.
What you see and what it means
| What you see | Likely part | First check |
|---|---|---|
| The igniter never glows | Igniter, thermal fuse or thermostat, or no power | Plug, outlet and breaker |
| The igniter glows, no flame appears | Gas valve coils | Whether the gas shutoff valve is open |
| Flame lights, then goes out quickly | Flame sensor, or restricted airflow | The vent and lint screen |
| Flame cycles on and off in short bursts | Restricted airflow tripping the high-limit thermostat | The vent |
| No heat and a smell of gas | Gas leak | Leave the house and call 911 |
The igniter glows but no flame appears
This is the classic pattern. A glowing igniter looks healthy, but the valve never opens, so nothing burns. The gas valve coils are the most frequent cause, with a weak flame sensor or a problem in the burner less common.
Why does my gas dryer igniter glow and then go out?
A glowing igniter that shuts off with no flame usually means the gas valve coils did not open the valve, so there was nothing to light. A weak flame sensor can also shut the dryer off after a brief flame. A meter test on the igniter and coils shows which part has failed.
The igniter never glows
If the igniter never glows, check the plug, the outlet and the breaker, then suspect the igniter itself, the thermal fuse, a thermostat, or the circuit that feeds them.
What does a bad gas dryer igniter look like?
Often it looks perfectly normal, which is why guessing fails. A bad igniter may have a visible crack or break, but more often it simply never glows, or glows weakly and dim. Only a meter test confirms it, because a weak igniter can glow yet still fail to open the valve.
Why the igniter gets blamed wrongly
Because the igniter is the visible part, it is often replaced first. But if it glows and the valve coils have failed, a new igniter changes nothing. Testing both with a meter avoids paying for the wrong part.
How the parts are tested
A technician unplugs the dryer, closes the gas valve, and tests the igniter and the coils with a meter. The igniter is checked for continuity and whether it draws enough current, and the coils for resistance.
What are gas valve coils?
Gas valve coils are small electromagnets on the gas valve. When the igniter is hot enough, current passes through the coils and they pull the valve open so gas can reach the burner. When a coil weakens, the valve opens late or not at all, which is why a glowing igniter can fail to light the burner.
Should both gas valve coils be replaced together?
Often they are replaced as a set, because the coils wear together and a worn one can fail soon after the other. A meter test on each coil shows whether one or both are weak. Ask the technician what the tests showed before deciding, and get the price in writing.
Gas safety
Smell gas? Leave the house, avoid switches, and from a safe distance call 911 and Atmos Energy at 866.322.8667. A dryer repair covers the dryer’s own gas parts. Gas supply piping and the shutoff valve belong to a licensed plumber.
Is it safe to replace a gas dryer igniter myself?
It is a job for someone qualified, because it involves a gas appliance. If you do any work, unplug the dryer and close the gas shutoff valve first, and follow the manual. If you smell gas at any point, leave the house and call 911 and Atmos Energy. When in doubt, have a technician test and replace it.
What it costs in Plano
| Repair | Typical cost (parts and labor) |
|---|---|
| Gas igniter or gas valve coils | $200 to $375 |
| Thermal fuse or thermostat | $150 to $275 |
| Vent path cleared, airflow restored | $100 to $200 |
Typical Plano-area estimates, not a quote. See the gas dryer repair page, the not-heating guide and the cost guide.
Sources
- Atmos Energy gas emergency guidance (866.322.8667)
- Your dryer’s installation and service manual, which governs over any general guidance on this page
- Plano Dryer Pros estimates of typical local repair pricing, checked against national consumer cost guides for context. See our Editorial Policy.
Frequently asked questions
Does a gas dryer need electricity for the igniter?
Yes. A gas dryer still needs a 120-volt supply for the igniter, motor and controls, so check that it is plugged in and the outlet has power before assuming the gas side has failed. A tripped breaker can look like an igniter problem.
How long does a gas dryer igniter last?
There is no fixed lifespan. Igniters wear with the number of heating cycles, and a weak one often fails gradually, glowing dimmer before it stops. A clean vent reduces the overheating that stresses the heat parts, but age still takes its toll.
Can a clogged vent damage a gas dryer igniter?
Restricted airflow mainly trips thermostats and fuses rather than burning out the igniter, but it makes the burner cycle and run hot, which stresses the heat parts. A blocked vent is still worth clearing on any no-heat or short-cycling gas dryer.
What does the flame sensor do?
The flame sensor confirms that the burner has lit. If it is weak or dirty, the dryer can shut the burner off after a brief flame, which looks like a flame that lights and goes out. It is tested with a meter along with the igniter and valve coils.
Is a failing igniter dangerous?
Gas dryers are designed so the valve stays closed unless the igniter proves it is hot enough, so a failing igniter usually means no heat, not a leak. A smell of gas is always an emergency, though: leave the house and call 911 and Atmos Energy at 866.322.8667.
Who fixes the gas line to my dryer?
A licensed plumber or gas fitter. A dryer repair covers the dryer’s own gas parts: igniter, valve coils, flame sensor and burner. It does not include gas supply piping or replacing the shutoff valve.
Get your dryer working again
Call and a person will answer, or request a repair online. You get the full price in writing before any work starts.